Little Singer

On the drive to daycare this morning my Declan was singing to me.

"Itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout. Down came the rain and washed the Itsy out." Yes washed "the Itsy" out. His version is the best.

After he sang to me he asked "want me to sing again Mommy?"

"Yes!"

Then he sang Twinkle Twinkle little star of course and after that his ABC's.

I asked him which was his favourite song. Declan told me he really likes "Boy Blue and the green one."

"I don't know these ones."

"Gramma sang them to me at my sleepover."

Well then, guess that's how they became his favorites.

Sleepover at Gramma and Poppa's House

Last night I worked until midnight and Daddy was visiting friends so Declan was treated to a sleepover at Gramma and Poppa's. 

In the afternoon when he had gone down for his nap he couldn't sleep. After an hour of laying in his bed yammering away to Monkey Daddy decided to just get him up and ready for the visit. Soon as he went in Declan said "Time for my sleepover at Gramma and Poppa's now!?!" 

No big tears when Daddy was leaving him either. Poppa said "I thought he was going to 'Bye Daddy' to death." Declan likes to say goodbye continuously until you're no longer in sight.

Now after we picked Declan up this morning we knew he'd had a fun time because as soon as we started to pull away in the car he said "I miss Gramma and Poppa." Then he told us about feeding peanuts to the Bluejay and how he slept with Monkey and Wonder Woman.

"Wonder Woman's a toy."

Yes Declan, we assumed you meant the toy.

Gramma called to say thank you for the sleepover this evening. She quite liked the hugs and kisses and cuddles. She also said there was a lot of laughter. So happy he gets to have Gramma and Poppa to himself once and a while. 

So spoiled.

Education

On the drive to Kelly's...

Declan: when are you and Daddy going to school?

Me: oh hunny, we're done school.

Declan: no you go to work, not school.

Me: Mommy and Daddy already finished school. Daddy went to Kindergarten, Elementary School, High School and then College. Mommy went to Kindergarten, Elementary School, High School, University and then College.

Declan: hmmm. Why did you go to University?

Me: well, I thought it was a good idea. I thought I'd learn a lot and it would help me get a good job.

Declan: I think I'm going to go to University. Like you.

Me: ok but first you start with Kindergarten in September.

Declan: (gasps) with bunnies!?!

Me: I don't know that there will be bunnies in your Kindergarten.

Declan: A bunny, with a basket and Kinder Eggs!!

Me: that sure is a nice idea buddy. I don't think it's going to be like you've envisioned.

Play Day

I've had Declan all to myself the last two days. We've had lots of fun. Today was really a big old Play Day. 

The Tickle Monster book, Lego Duplo, Spider-Man racers, superhero Lego...

Good times.

When I had a shower Declan was so proud of himself, got out all of his stuffies and laid them on the bed. Told me the bigger Pooh Bear was Pooh Bears Daddy.

Oh but wait. The best part of when I had a shower was Declan opening the door to say "I saw your butt. It's funny!"

Kids.

Auntie T

Lots of fun with the kid today. I told him this morning that we were getting a visit from Auntie T. Declan was pretty excited. He said its "been a long time" since he's seen Auntie T and that last time "she got changed and came in the pool but just for a short time" so he was looking forward to seeing her.

Looking through toy catalogues was fun to observe. It started with Declan just describing everything in the books and ended with tickles.

Auntie T left not long after Declan went for his afternoon nap.

Soon as he woke up he asked for Auntie T. I explained that she had to leave to go pick up his cousins. Declan just laid on his side, the sadly said he'd wished "Auntie Tas still there.

Sweet visit.

Thinks it's Christmas

Declan pairs snow to Christmas. So naturally he's pretty excited about the first snowfall. He just keeps telling me it's Christmas and that we need to get our decorations out and lights up.

And he's right. We do.

But he has a long time to wait still for the big day.

Just another reason why I'd like to be 3 1/2.

A Little Sleep In

New stage in development: Declan wakes up at 5am, comes to see me because he has a wet bum. I follow him to his room, change him so he's dry and then....he plays in his room alone with his toys while we sleep in a little longer.  So amazing!!!

Sweet text updates from Daddy while I'm at work today:

We're good. Declan just had his first Chuck Norris movie explained to him. So proud.

He keeps telling me that the Peanuts movie song is in his head. Adorable.

Lots of snow, huh? Declan is losing his mind.

Thought that Snoopy Town game was way too advanced for him. Nope. He's addicted to it.

Then I get home late from work, peek in on the little man all curled up in bed asleep. Makes me happy to know they had such a good day together.

Peanuts

Last night Declan was treated to a short visit with Poppa!! Jumped up off the floor to run and greet him at the door, Declan was so excited. Of course when bedtime came he requested a story from Poppa.

Early this morning Declan comes into our room and the first thing he asks is "why isn't Poppa here?"  

"Sorry buddy. He didn't stay over, he's at his house."

Mid-day we decided to take Declan to his first movie at a theater. We went to see The Peanuts Movie in 3D. He sat in the seat between us with his little glasses on and a bag of Mini M&Ms.

Awareness

Tonight Declan had something to tell me.

He said "Logan's business looks like my business. Nihal, Nicholas, baby MacKenzie and Natalya's business doesn't look like mine."

I really love witnessing my little man growing up and learning about the world.

I'm learning so much about how we understand our world through his eyes and mini mind.

Darth Tater

A long time ago Kelly gave Declan a Mr. Potato Head set. There were four different sized Potato Heads and numerous pieces that allowed you to create a Storm Trooper, R2D2 and Darth Tater. He was afraid of it when he got it so he never played with it. The set has been in a box at the top of his closet. Well he has a new found interest in Potato Heads AND Star Wars and his noticed the box. Yesterday morning he asked Daddy to get it down and that's it, Declan doesn't care about anything else except his Star Wars Potatoes. Darth Tater went to bed with him last night too.

Some Daddy that I know is going to have the best of times watching the movies with his little boy some day.

Mommy Work Trip

I flew to Ottawa for work early in the morning. Declan's cousin Mad spent the night so he'd be there with him in the morning.

Declan woke up and went downstairs to play with toys.

Wait, what? How did he not go wake her up???

Then in the morning a discussion on breakfast began. 

Maddy was trying to explain why Declan couldn't have chocolate for breakfast. Declan then explained how chocolate is much tastier than cereal.

He's a stinker.

Hope he's not to difficult for Grandma in the morning.

Santa Claus Parade

Warm sunny temperatures made for a great day to see a parade.

The parade?

Not so great.

Kid?

Very happy. He says he liked it though I believe that's really just because he saw Cookie Monster and Santa.

The Mail

4am...little feet scurry into my room and to my bedside "Mommy, can you change my bum? I pee'd and Monkeys wet." So that means his bed is set too. Off we go to get a clean, dry monkey, a new "bum" and pjs. Then the little man curled up between us in our dry bed. I reached over and put my arm in him to give him a hug. He reached his little arm over and hugged me back. 4am? Why not.

I had to work so today was a Daddy-Declan day. They visited WalMart so Declan could walk the toy isle and dream about Christmas.

Love that when I came home from work today I was greeted by a very excited little boy who couldn't stop talking about the new Toys-r-us catalogue Grandma mailed to him from Ottawa. He had to show me the entire thing and list off all the toys he likes. I was also treated again to some cuddle time as Declan sat on me to play his Angry Birds game. He sat alone when he okay Lego Ninjago games because he's much more serious about that video game. 3 1/2 year old has some skills.

Declan Days

I just love my days off. The ones where I get Declan from sun up to sun down. First he let me sleep past 6am and lay in bed with him past 7am. Fantastic!

In the morning after Daddy got in from work and had headed back to sleep we got a bath out of the way and then we played with his toys for over an our. Laughing so loud it's surprising we didn't wake Daddy up. This evening I was treated to his falsetto version of The Imperial March and his demonstration of how Darth Vader walks and.....here comes the best part...he cuddled with me, curled up on my lap. At one point he reached around me and gave me a good hug too. He likes it when I sing to him now so I sing You Are My Sunshine but change it to "My Declan". This had him then asking "who's the bad man who would take your Declan away?"

Good question. "Nobody. Just a song. Nobody will take you away."

About an hour after we tucked Declan in for bedtime we heard him get out of bed upstairs and open his door. I went up to check on him. When I went in his room he was back in bed. I asked what was the matter and he said "Does my Pooh Bear come alive and chase me?"

"No, he's just a stuffy, a stuffed animal."

"So he won't come alive and go 'bleh bleh bleh' all over me?" (He says while running his fingers over his face.)

"No he's just a cuddly stuffed animal."

"Ok."

His imagination is expanding.

Blankets

Sneaking into Declan's room in the middle of the night to check on him, finding his sheet is mostly off, it's a pretty amazing feeling being able to pull his sheet back up over his little shoulders and tuck him back in.

I also got to get out of work earlier today and surprise Declan by being home soon as he got home with Daddy from daycare. Playing with his Mash'ems, and mine craft figures and pirate ship, we sure have a good time. Well, we do when his toys are not crashing into the ones I'm trying to play with.

At his bedtime tonight he chose the book Fox and the Hound. A favourite of mine from when I was little. He seemed to enjoy it but noticeably he wasn't as emotional as I was....what the?!? I don't remember the story being such a tear jerker. Damn you Disney!!

Comfort

How?

How is this comfortable?

Pretty much laughing my butt off, silently.

He's probably getting the best nights sleep too.

Big change this morning in the Muffin Man: he's going from wanting us to do everything for him to being more independent. He was in the bathroom, toothbrush all ready, with paste and brushing on his own before I even got to the bathroom. He also did his vest up on his own before I could even get my hands on the zipper. Good job little man. School is now only 10 months away. Still have some things to master before then.

I Love Lego

Good times. Spent over an hour sitting on the floor with Declan building various Lego creations. I love watching him putting things together and imagining, I love his excitement when I reveal what I've made for him and really I just love Lego.

I also love listening to Declan sing. He sings all the time now. He even knows words to songs I can't remember. He will get shy however if you ask him to sing. 

And this afternoon we took him to the Park. In the daylight this time. So crowded. This new park is a hit with everyone apparently. And the beautiful fall weather is helping. Could have stayed for hours.

Not a Cuddler

I think when Declan wants to cuddle you really appreciate it because it's not the norm. Today he sat on the floor beside Daddy's legs. He then reached his arms around his legs and hugged them. He looked up at Daddy and asked for a hug. Super cuddly. Daddy was really happy. 

Lazy Kid Day

We played with Playmobile castle, Duplo, and his LeapPad computer. We giggled on and on while editing photos we took of each other; long noses, bug eyes and alien bellies. A hopeful day at the park was rained out so we had a fun lazy day inside. Declan was also taking pictures of us with his white phone. At one time he stood at the end of the hall and said "watch me take a picture at full speed." Then he ran down the hall and took a photo.

True Laughter

When getting Declan ready for bed after his bath he was sharing details about his day at Kelly's. He told us that the fan was scary when he took his nap. When I asked why it was scary he said "it has _____ eyes".

I couldn't understand what he was saying. 

"The fan has eyes?"

"Yes. ____ eyes."

"It has eyes?"

"Yes. ____ eyes."

"Declan, I don't know what you mean."

He then responds by bringing his hands, with outstretched fingers up to frame his eyes. Then he opened his eyes as wide as he could and said "LIKE THIS!"

Daddy and I started laughing, as did Declan. I'd look back his way and he'd open his eyes huge again and we'd laugh some more. Declan had tears in his eyes from his full belly laughs and we got such a kick out of him. 

Sure is getting to be a big boy.

Dark Park

The new park by our place is finally complete. We talked this weekend about getting a chance to visit. With the warm weather I really wanted to squeez in a few minutes to see it. Yesterday I told Declan of the weather was good we would go. First thing he talked about when I woke him up this morning was the park. I promised him he'd get to see it tonight.

With the time change it gets dark fast. I was home at 5:40pm and the sun was setting. We walked quickly over but the sun had set before we got there. So we saw the new park in the Dark. Declan still loved it and certainly didn't want to leave when I told him we had to go. Looking forward to many nights playing at the park next summer.

When we got home he was beat. He laid on the couch and told us he was tired. Of course he got a 2nd wind when we were saying goodnight and tucking him in. Typical toddler.

Gettin' Dressed

Killing myself laughing. Grandma emails me a picture she found on her phone. A picture that Declan had taken and she didn't realize. If you look closely in the right corner you can see Declan's reflection as he snaps the picture. He's such a monkey.

Declan has never been real cuddly but he's opening up a bit more to it lately. This evening while I ate my dinner he decided he wanted to sit on my lap and play a Bubble Guppie game on his phone. I loved it. Even with the challenge of reaching around him for a sip of my drink, I was just so happy he wanted to be so close. Also heartwarming was Declan sitting up close, right tight to Daddy's side in the couch together while they both stared at their phones. Daddy's little mini.

And this mini is getting bigger. Challenged him to get undressed and then into his pjs on his own tonight. He did good. Needed just a little help here and there. And so I realized that he's capable of much more and we can back off a little so he can develop the skills.

Picture Time

Early in the morning Declan sneaks into Grandma's bed once again. He sings her some songs and talk on and on about his Halloween night. After nearly two hours he comes into my room, creeps up to my side of the bed and asks for my phone so he can watch videos. Then he runs along back to bed with Grandma.

Once I got up (yes I got to sleep in-sorry Grandma!) I was straightening up his bed and he came in to ask for my help. He'd taken a pumpkin light up toy that his other Grandma gave him to bed and he'd lost the Lego piece. I had no clue what he meant but I looked around regardless. Finally found a little one Lego cylinder with a clear blue piece on top that he'd put together and called a candle for putting inside the pumpkin. He's pretty clever.

Later in the morning we were off to Lowville for some yearly pictures and he was a cooperative little model. No surprise but Monkey also had a prominent role.

Long weekend and fresh air led to a long afternoon nap and the first thing he said when I woke him up was "Why did Grandma have to go back to Ottawa?"

Guess his weekend went by just too quickly.